Q R A Monthly Report October 2017

www.qldreconstrucon.org.au Monthly Report ‐ October 2017 1

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Date of review of security classificaon October 2017 Authority Queensland Reconstrucon Authority Author Chief Execuve Officer Document status Final Version 1.0

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Message from the Chief Execuve Officer

Major General Richard Wilson AO (Ret’d) Chairman Queensland Reconstrucon Authority

Dear Major General Wilson

It is with pleasure that I present the October 2017 Monthly Report – the 80th report to the Board of the Queensland Reconstrucon Authority (QRA). QRA was established under the Queensland Reconstrucon Authority Act 2011 (the Act) following the unprecedented natural disasters that struck Queensland over the summer months of 2010‐11. The Authority is charged with helping Queensland communies effecvely and efficiently recover from the impacts of natural disasters through managing and coordinang the Queensland Government’s program of infrastructure renewal and recovery within disaster‐affected communies and being the state’s lead agency responsible for disaster recovery, resilience and migaon policy. The Program Status provides a snapshot of progress in the state’s recovery and reconstrucon from other disaster events of recent years and an update on progress in in recovery, resilience and migaon acvies. QRA is currently administering Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) works for 28 disaster events acvated for the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 event periods that are in the delivery and/or acquial phases. QRA’s program of works in the delivery phase comprises 16 events from the 2016 and 2017 disaster periods worth an esmated $1.4 billion. Of this, $429 million has been approved and addional submissions worth $252 million are being assessed by QRA or awaing addional informaon. In addion $279 million (20 per cent) of works in relaon to the delivery program has been reported to QRA at 31 August as in progress or delivered. The October report’s Program Spotlight profiles:  recovery progress six months on from STC Debbie, highlighng key milestones of the recovery program and how QRA is connuing to work closely with all impacted councils to fast track NDRRA funding submissions so councils can rebuild as quickly as possible  reopening of Pine Creek Road to traffic in both direcons aer it was completely washed away during flooding associated with STC Debbie in March 2017  compleon of North Burne Regional Council’s $3.5 million Beerment program, delivering 19 upgrade projects through the $20 million 2015 Beerment Fund established in response to Tropical Cyclone Marcia. I commend the report to you and recommend its release to the Minister and the public pursuant to Secon 41 of the Act.

Yours sincerely

Brendan Moon Chief Execuve Officer Queensland Reconstrucon Authority

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Contents

1.0 Introducon 1 1.1 Purpose 2 1.2 Timing 2

2.0 Disaster Assistance 3 2.1 Queensland Disaster Assistance Framework 4 2.2 Events and relief measures managed by QRA 5

3.0 Program Status 6 3.1 NDRRA program status 7 3.2 Recovery, resilience and migaon acvies 11 3.3 Program spotlights 13

4.0 Communicaons 17 4.1 Communicang progress 18 4.2 Media reports 19

Appendices Appendix A: Local Government Areas by Region 21 Appendix B: NDRRA acvaons managed by QRA ‐ 2007 to 2014 Events 22

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Secon one: Introduction

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1.0 Introducon 1.1 Purpose The Queensland Reconstrucon Authority (QRA) was established on 21 February 2011 under the Queensland Reconstrucon Authority Act 2011 (the Act) following the extensive series of natural disasters that impacted Queensland over the summer of 2010‐11. QRA’s mission is to reconnect, rebuild and improve Queensland communies and its economy. QRA is charged with managing and coordinang the Government’s program of infrastructure renewal and recovery within disaster‐ affected communies, with a focus on working with our state and local government partners to deliver best pracce expenditure of public reconstrucon funds. QRA is also the state’s lead agency responsible for disaster recovery, resilience and migaon policy. In this role QRA is working collaboravely with other agencies and key stakeholders to improve risk reducon and disaster preparedness. Inially established for a two‐year period, QRA was extended a number of mes as its role expanded to cover historical and connuing disaster events. In June 2015, QRA was made permanent, enabling it to connue the crical work of helping Queensland communies effecvely and efficiently recover from the impacts of natural disasters. As part of its role, QRA administers the rebuilding program for Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA) acvated disaster events and is responsible for the acquial of NDRRA funding including Counter Disaster Operaons, Emergent Works, Restoraon of Essenal Public Assets, Category C and Category D assistance to State Departments and Agencies (SDA) and Local Government Authories (LGA). Since its establishment in February 2011, QRA has managed and coordinated the infrastructure reconstrucon and recovery for 68 disaster events acvated for NDRRA relief measures.

1.2 Timing The Commonwealth NDRRA Determinaon imposes me limits for the delivery and acquial of works. The Determinaon provides for a me limit of two financial years aer a disaster to deliver reconstrucon works and a further nine months aer the end of the financial year in which the works were completed in order to acquit the works. NDRRA funding is formally acquied through the annual submission of a financial statement to the Commonwealth comprising claims for financial assistance in respect of state NDRRA expenditure incurred on eligible disasters in the preceding financial year (Commonwealth Claim). Lodgement of Commonwealth Claims is required to secure reimbursement of the Commonwealth’s share of eligible expenditure. As QRA is managing a series of events that occurred across a number of financial years, QRA’s program is spread across various stages in the delivery and acquial phases as follows:

Following acceptance of the 2015‐16 NDRRA Claim by the Commonwealth in June 2017, QRA has finalised the close out of all works up to and including the 2014 events other than a small number of projects that received extensions of me for drought‐related impacts. NDRRA works for 28 disaster events acvated for the 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 event periods are currently in the delivery and/or acquial phases. On 30 June 2017, the deadline passed to complete NDRRA works from the 2015 events. Other than three projects that requested extensions of me, delivery agents consistently indicated works were completed on me. QRA is working with delivery agents to gather and assess compleon documentaon to close out the 2015 events’ works for acquial in the 2016‐17 claim. QRA is currently working with delivery agents to progress delivery of the 2016 and 2017 event programs including providing advice and assistance with damage assessments and submission preparaon for Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie and other recent 2017 events.

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Secon two: Disaster Assistance

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2.0 Disaster Assistance

2.1 Queensland Disaster Assistance Framework

The available Queensland Disaster Assistance schemes are separated between NDRRA (jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State governments) and non‐NDRRA funding schemes. The diagram below indicates the different elements of assistance available and how each element operates.

Figure 2.1.1 Queensland Disaster Assistance Framework

Elements of the assistance schemes are delivered by State agencies, however all NDRRA assistance sources (and elements of the non‐ NDRRA assistance schemes) are administered by QRA for historical and connuing disaster events in Queensland.

Disaster events managed by QRA

The list of the acvated disaster events managed by QRA are set out in Secon 2.2 and can also be found on www.disaster.qld.gov.au. This report includes references to event periods described as follows:

 2017 events: Acvated disaster events managed by QRA occurring in the financial year ending 30 June 2017

 2016 events: Acvated disaster events managed by QRA occurring in the financial year ending 30 June 2016

 2015 events: Acvated disaster events managed by QRA which occurred in the financial year ended 30 June 2015

 2014 events: Acvated disaster events managed by QRA which occurred in the financial year ended 30 June 2014

 2013 events: Acvated disaster events managed by QRA which occurred in the financial year ended 30 June 2013, including Tropical Cyclone Oswald and associated rainfall and flooding (January 2013)

 2012 events: Acvated disaster events managed by QRA which occurred in the financial year ended 30 June 2012

 2011 events: Acvated disaster events managed by QRA which occurred in the financial year ended 30 June 2011, including Tropical Cyclone Yasi and Queensland flooding (December 2010 to February 2011).

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2.2 Events and relief measures managed by QRA 2017 events QRA has responsibility to administer NDRRA relief measures for historical and connuing disaster events in Queensland. Since its establishment in February 2011, QRA has managed and coordinated the infrastructure reconstrucon and recovery for 68 disaster events acvated for NDRRA relief measures. Of these, 40 events are complete, having been delivered, closed out and acquied to the Commonwealth in audited claims. Works for 25 events from the 2015 to 2017 event periods are currently in the delivery phase and completed works from a further three events from the 2014 event period are also in the acquial phase1. The figures opposite show the LGAs acvated for relief measures under NDRRA for the 2015 to 2017 event periods that are either sll in delivery and/or acquial phase. A summary of previous events dang back to 2007 that have been managed through to acquial by QRA is provided in Appendix B.

2017 events (Works to be delivered by 30 June 2019, with final acquial due by March 2020)  Far North Queensland Trough, 21‐28 March 2017 2016 events  Far North Queensland Trough, 3‐10 February 2017  Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie and associated rainfall and flooding, 28 March ‐ 6 April 2017  Gulf Tropical Low, 15‐24 February 2017  Far North Queensland Low, 8‐11 January 2017  Western Queensland Flooding, 13‐20 September 2016  Central Queensland Severe Weather, 15‐20 July 2016 2016 events (Works to be delivered by 30 June 2018, with final acquial due by March 2019)  Central Western Queensland Flooding, 13‐19 June 2016  Far North Queensland Upper Level Trough, 21‐23 May 2016  South West Queensland Floods, 7‐9 May 2016  Far North and North West Queensland Tropical Low, 14‐18 March 2016  Western Queensland Trough, 7‐11 March 2016  Central Coast Surface Trough, 4‐8 February 2016  Central Western Queensland Heavy Rainfall & Flooding, 2‐4 February 2016  Gulf of Carpentaria Monsoon Trough – 20‐31 December 2015  Fernvale Severe Storm, 27 October 2015. 2015 events 2015 events (Works to be delivered by 30 June 2017, with final acquial due by March 2018)  South East Queensland Low, 30 April – 1 May 2015  Tropical Cyclone Nathan and associated rainfall & flooding, 11‐15 March 2015  Severe Tropical Cyclone Marcia and South East Queensland Trough ‐ 19 to 22 February 2015  Tropical Cyclone Lam, 15‐18 February 2015  North Queensland Severe Weather and Flooding ‐ 8 to 15 February 2015  Central Eastern Queensland Heavy Rainfall and Flooding ‐ 21 to 29 January 2015  Western Queensland Heavy Rainfall and Flooding ‐ 5 to 18 January 2015  Central Queensland Heavy Rainfall and Flooding ‐ 8 to 14 December 2014  Brisbane Severe Thunderstorm ‐ 27 December 2014.

1. The NDRRA Determinaon imposes a me limit of two financial years aer a disaster to deliver reconstrucon works (delivery phase) and a further nine months to acquit completed works (acquial phase) through lodgement of an annual claim to the Commonwealth. Following extension of me approvals, a number of projects from the 2014 and 2015 event period are sll in delivery and/or acquial phases.

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Secon three: Program Status

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3.0 Program Status 3.1 NDRRA program status The esmated value of the total NDRRA program of works managed by QRA since its establishment is $14.35 billion. Of this, $12.7 billion of works from the 2009‐10, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015 events have been finalised (delivered and acquied) with the remaining works for components of the 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017 event years in the acve delivery and/or acquial phases. The current status of each acve program is summarised as follows:

2014 Events 2015 Events All 2014 event works have been acquied by the Common‐ The deadline passed to complete NDRRA works from the 2015 wealth other than three councils’ pro‐ events on 30 June 2017. Other than three grams granted extensions of me to projects that requested extensions of deliver works for drought‐related rea‐ me, delivery agents have indicated works sons. were completed on me. These works are now complete and QRA is working with delivery agents to will be closed out and acquied in the gather and assess compleon documenta‐ next (2016‐17) claim due to the Com‐ on to close out the 2015 events’ works monwealth in early 2018. for acquial in the 2016‐17 claim.

2016 Events 2017 Events All submissions for the 2016 events Across the 2017 disaster season, 62 coun‐ have been pre‐approved and works are cils were acvated for NDRRA assistance required to be complete by 30 June from seven events. 2018 in order to be eligible under QRA is currently assisng, as required, with NDRRA. damage assessments in order to progress the reconstrucon QRA connues to monitor and assist councils and state program into delivery as soon as possible. Delivery agents have agencies with progressing their program of 2016 event unl 30 June 2019 to deliver eligible NDRRA works.

In other areas relevant to NDRRA:  Following final approvals of a $96 million package of NDRRA special Category D measures to assist with the recovery of the most impacted communies from the effects of STC Debbie, QRA and partner agencies have called for and undertaken inial assessments of expressions of interest for eligible projects from impacted councils.  QRA is connuing to trial and parcipate in consultaon with the Commonwealth and other jurisdicons in relaon to potenal funding reforms. The Commonwealth is invesgang a model to provide natural disaster recovery funding based on upfront damage assessments and esmated reconstrucon costs.

Above: Geotechnical assessments carried out by TMR on the Sarina Range following STC Debbie. (Source: The Authority, 31 September 2017) www.qldreconstrucon.org.au Monthly Report ‐ October 2017 7

3.1 NDRRA program status (cont.) Delivery Program status

The QRA is managing the assessment of submissions and delivery of works with an esmated value of $1.4 billion for 16 events com‐ prising the 2016 and 2017 Events (Delivery Program). The graph below shows the actual reported and forecast monthly remaining expenditure for all NDRRA works since 1 July 2015, and esmated total costs to deliver the 2016 and 2017 events that are in the delivery phase.

Status of Delivery Program as at 31 July 2017: $858 million in submissions have been received $429 million submissions have been approved and an addional $252 million are under invesgaon or awaing addional informaon. $279 million (20 per cent) of the $1.4 billion Delivery Program has been reported as in progress or delivered.

Source: expenditure reported to QRA to 31 August 2017; and estimates per June 2017 NDRRA Estimates Review

Acquial Program status The QRA is currently managing an acquial program worth $1.6 billion, comprising the remaining works for 28 events from the 2014 to 2017 Events that are yet to be acquied in claims to the Commonwealth. The following graph shows the historical and projected acquial profile for Queensland as per Commonwealth Claims submied for the 2001‐02 to 2015‐16 financial years and preliminarily expected to be submied for 2016‐17 to 2018‐19 in order to finalise the Ac‐ quial Program. Should funding reforms be introduced as envisaged from 1 July 2018, the state will administer and submit claims un‐ der both the exisng NDRRA Determinaon and also under the revised arrangements for a two year period (2018‐19 and 2019‐20) whilst the exisng model is phased out.

Queensland has no outstanding claims under review by the Commonwealth and all NDRRA works completed up to 30 June 2016 have been acquied.

Queensland’s next Claim for NDRRA works complet- ed in the 2016-17 financial year is due to be sub- mied to the Commonwealth by 31 March 2018. The 2016-17 Claim is esmated to acquit approxi- mately $365 million of NDRRA expenditure.

Source: QRA, 30 September 2017

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3.1 NDRRA program status (cont.) Addional NDRRA assistance measures ‐ 2017 Events

The State Government in conjunction with the Commonwealth has activated a range of Category C and Category D relief measures to alleviate distress for communies, businesses, industries and the environment impacted by STC Debbie.

Package Purpose Status

Category C NDRRA measures

Community Recovery  To deliver support programs to individuals, and  Stac and mobile counselling providers are in delivery in Package community mental health and community develop‐ the Whitsunday and Mackay Region. ment programs. ($14.9 million)  Procurement processes for remaining counselling services  Over a two year period, the program will support is complete and negoaons between DCCSDS and iden‐ iniaves and projects aimed at restoring social fied providers are nearly completed, with 26 of 28 con‐ networks and building community resilience and tracts finalised. capacity for the future in the local government  Mental Health screening has started in both North areas of Gold Coast, Isaac, Logan City, Mackay, Queensland Region (Whitsunday and Mackay) and South Rockhampton, Scenic Rim and Whitsunday. East QLD Region.  The Queensland Government Department of Com‐ munies, Child Safety and Disability Services  Recruitment for mental health program staff is underway (DCCSDS) and Queensland Health (QHealth) will in all areas with final posions expected to be recruited deliver three programs: by mid‐October.  Individual Support Program (DCCSDS)  Community Development Program (DCCSDS)  Community Mental Health Program (QHealth)

Category D NDRRA measures

Local Council Package Infrastructure projects in key impact areas to generate  QRA representaves parcipated in Whitsunday Regional ($17.3 million) employment, boost the local economy, drive communi‐ Council’s project planning meeng for Shute Harbour in ty resilience and build resilience: the first week of September and aended a project man‐  Shute Harbour Marina ($15.2 million) ‐ demolish agement meeng 26 September. and replace the exisng jey, rebuild the terminal  QRA’s regional liaison officer is working with Whitsundays building, repair an exisng seawall, and replace Regional Council and Mackay Regional Council on delivery ancillary infrastructure of repair works at Airlie Beach and Bluewater Trail.  Airlie Beach repairs, Whitsundays ($850k) ‐ for repairs  Bluewater Trail, Mackay ($1.2 million) ‐ to repair damage and remove debris caused by STC Debbie.

Resilient Infrastructure  To restore or replace essenal public assets to a  $1.9 million of the Beerment has been pre‐approved by (Beerment) more disaster resilient standard than existed pre‐ the Commonwealth to cover the beerment component ($41.9 million) disaster. on the Shute Harbour Marina seawall  The normal cost of restoring or replacing the asset  Expressions of Interest (EOI) for the remaining $40 million to its pre‐disaster standard is funded under Catego‐ funding were received from 19 of the 29 eligible (councils ry B NDRRA and the incremental cost to ‘beer’ the acvated for Category B (REPA) seeking $114 million. asset to a more disaster‐resilient standard is funded  Beerment EOI assessment outcomes were sent to LGAs by a capped allocaon from the Beerment fund on 19 September, inving detailed applicaons for pro‐ and Council contribuons. jects seeking more than $41 million.

$1.9 million Category D funding has been approved for reconstrucon and beerment of the seawall at Shute Harbour Marina

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3.1 NDRRA program status (cont.)

Addional NDRRA assistance measures ‐ 2017 Events

Package Purpose Status

Category D NDRRA measures

Environmental Recov‐  To ensure the recovery of impacted environ‐  QRA is administering Parts A & B. EOIs have been received from 14 ery Package mental areas, including the clean‐up of of the 37 eligible councils seeking $31.5 million. Submissions have ($35 million) beaches, recreaonal parks, rivers and wa‐ been shortlisted, and councils have been asked to submit detailed terways applicaons.  $35 million of the Environmental Recovery  The Department of Environment & Heritage Protecon (EHP) is Package across five areas: administering packages C, D & E and EOIs from 7 Natural Resource A. Coastal Management (NRM) bodies were received seeking $21.9 million. B. Environmental Submissions have been shortlisted, with $3.8 million of priority C. Riparian projects approved, and detailed applicaons sought from regional D. Mapping NRM bodies for remaining projects. E. Water Courses  Following review of the EOIs, QRA & EHP have agreed on a noon‐ al allocaon of $20 million for part A and B packages, and $15 mil‐ lion for part C, D & E packages.

Economic Recovery  To support recovery of industry and busi‐  The Department of Agriculture & Fisheries (DAF) has finalised a Package nesses in and around impacted areas that contract with the Queensland Farmers Federaon (QFF), the ad‐ ($2.1 million) experienced significant disrupon and dam‐ ministrator of the IRO program. age  Rural financial counselling services are starng to be delivered.  DAF has confirmed that support work is occurring on the ground and is ramping up now contracts are finalised.  QRA, DAF and DTESB will coordinate a series of workshops in Octo‐ ber in the hardest hit areas to support cross sector work with pri‐ mary producers, small businesses and the tourism sector. Other acve Category D measures

 The State Government and Commonwealth have agreed to continue the Day Labour exemption for the 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2018 events, which enables councils to deliver restoration works with their own workforce on condition that they provide evi‐ dence of savings in both time and cost.

Addional State non‐NDRRA assistance measures ‐ 2017 Events

 The state has commied to fund the full $110 million of addional assistance measures that it would have funded under its original $220 million Category D proposal to the Commonwealth.  The State will fund an addional $62 million of recovery measures in addion to its $48 million (50 percent) contribuon to the $96 million package of NDRRA Category D packages approved by the Commonwealth.  To date, the State has announced funding of $2.65 million towards the revitalisaon of the Airlie Beach Foreshore. Addional funding for the project of $2.83 million is being provided through the state’s Building our Regions program and $850,000 is being provided through the Category D program.

Concept plans for the revitalisaon of Airlie Beach Foreshore following STC Debbie, to be funded partly through NDRRA Category D excep- ons circumstances funding but principally through separate state funding measures. Monthly Report ‐ October 2017 10 www.qldreconstrucon.org.au

3.2 Recovery, resilience and migaon acvies

QRA is leading disaster recovery, resilience and migaon policy in Queensland. A summary of recent progress is set out below:

Acvity Purpose Status

Queensland The Queensland Recovery Plan informs stakeholders  The Queensland Recovery Plan has been approved and en‐ Recovery Plan of good recovery procedures and processes that dorsed by the Queensland Disaster Management Commiee should be employed across all enes during recov‐ and is soon to be publically released via the QRA website and ery operaons and planning. Disaster Management portal. The plan applies to all Queensland disaster recovery partners, local governments, Local Disaster Manage‐ ment Groups, District Disaster Management Groups, Queensland Government agencies, government‐ owned corporaons and statutory bodies repre‐ senng the state, non‐government organisaons and other disaster recovery stakeholders.

Disaster Recovery Coor‐ The DRC Guide provides informaon and guidance The Guide is available via the QRA and Queensland Disaster dinator (DRC) Guide on the roles, responsibilies, training and inducon Management websites. requirements, management arrangements and oper‐ aonal issues relang to DRCs in Queensland.  QRA maintains a register of potential DRC candidates commen‐ surate with the role of the State Recovery Policy and Planning Coordinator (SRPPC).

 A State Recovery Coordinator (SRC) and two Deputy State Re‐ covery Coordinators (DSRC) were appointed to manage and coordinate recovery operations following Severe Tropical Cy‐ clone Debbie. The State Recovery Coordinator transitioned responsibilities to the SRPPC on 2 June 2017 and the two DSRCs completed their duties on 28 July 2017.  The Guide will be reviewed and updated as required to incorpo‐ rate lessons learned from the STC Debbie response.

Strategic Policy Frame‐ The Framework addresses key recommendaons  The Framework was approved by the Queensland Disaster work for Riverine Flood from Disaster Management Reviews conducted in Management Commiee (QDMC) in late June, and was pub‐ Risk Management and 2015 and will support a state‐wide best pracce lished on the QRA website on 4 July 2017. Community Resilience approach to riverine flood risk management.

Disaster In 2015, a series of reviews were conducted into  As at 30 June 2017, 11 of the 14 recommendaons have been Management Reviews disaster management operaons following Severe completed. Tropical Cyclone Marcia.  The three remaining recommendaons are progressing: An Interdepartmental Commiee was established to review 160 recommendaons from these reviews, Technical leadership in Commonwealth funding negoaons including KPMG’s operaonal review of QRA. Greater role in priorisaon of disaster recovery funding The QRA review idenfied 14 recommendaons re‐ QRA provide support to QFES for a central repository for the lang to operaonal and policy‐related maers, in‐ collecon and storage of whole‐of‐government disaster cluding the need for clarity in the disaster manage‐ management data. ment framework on the roles and responsibilies of the QRA.

Burne Catchment Flood QRA is delivering a pilot project for a catchment scale  The Burne Catchment Flood Resilience Strategy is a pilot pro‐ Resilience Strategy (pilot approach to flood resilience that will support LGAs in ject to facilitate delivery of improved flood resilience on a project) developing their own flood risk management strate‐ catchment scale. gies and resilience plans. The purpose of the pilot is  The Pilot project will test technical methodologies and assess to test and evaluate the relevant methodologies for the suitability of this work being delivered across the remain‐ potenal State‐wide applicaon. der of the state.  he project has the support of the Wide Bay Burne Regional Organisaon of Councils, who will act as the Steering Com‐ miee for the project.  A project incepon meeng was held on 28 September 2017, and the project is on track to be delivered by mid‐2018.

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3.2 Recovery, resilience and migaon acvies (connued)

Acvity Purpose Status

Queensland Strategy The Queensland Strategy for Disaster Resilience  Work is now underway to develop an Implementaon Plan in consul‐ for Disaster Resili‐ was released in July 2017 and provides an over‐ taon with key stakeholders including government, non‐government ence— Implementaon arching framework to empower Queenslanders and community organisaons. Strategy to factor in resilience measures and activities as they anticipate, respond and adapt to changing circumstances.

Operaon Queensland The Operaon Queensland Recovery Plan pro‐  The Operaon Queensland Recovery Plan was tabled in Queensland Recovery Plan and vides the framework for a community‐led ap‐ Parliament and publicly released on 9 May 2017. reporng proach to recovery following STC Debbie.  QRA is monitoring and coordinang recovery issues and monitoring The plan focuses on empowering local govern‐ the progress and effecveness of recovery efforts by each Funconal ments, supported by state agencies, to deliver Recovery Group. local soluons to ensure communies are able to lead their own recovery and build resilience for future events. The Recovery Plan includes local recovery plans for the eight most severely impacted local gov‐ ernment areas.

Brisbane River Catch‐ The Queensland Government and local councils The Flood Study is complete and available to the public following its ment Flood Studies are working together on a long‐term plan to launch on 5 May 2017. manage the impact of future floods and enhance  The Flood Study supports the development of a draft SFMP, which is community safety and resilience in the Brisbane underway and scheduled for completion in December 2017. River floodplain.  The QRA is working with four councils (Brisbane, Ipswich, Somerset The project includes development of a Flood and Lockyer Valley) as well as government agencies and industry to Study followed by a Strategic Floodplain Man‐ coordinate a regionally consistent approach to managing the Brisbane agement Plan (SFMP) that will guide a coordinat‐ River Floodplain. ed approach to planning and response acvies  A range of regional scale opportunities are being investigated as part to manage flood across the floodplain. of the SFMP including structural mitigation options, disaster manage‐ ment, land use planning, community awareness and resilience, build‐ ing controls and integrated catchment management.  Community engagement was undertaken for the project between 14 August 2017 and 15 September 2017. This included public information displays and an online survey.  Detailed Local Floodplain Management Plans will commence from 2018.

Flood Warning Gauge QRA connues to assist the Bureau of Meteorol‐  7 Flood Gauge Network Investment Plans have been finalised and Network Project ogy (Bureau) to ensure the best available infor‐ issued to 40 priority local councils idenfied in a state‐wide review as maon is available for providing flood warnings requiring more detailed review of flood warning infrastructure. and forecasts.  QRA commenced engagement with remaining local councils in July 2017. A number of site visits and workshops have taken place in cen‐ tral and far north Queensland with LGAs to discuss gauge require‐ ments. Finalisaon of all remaining Flood Warning Gauge Network Investment Plans are scheduled for compleon by December 2017.  QRA is currently finalising the forecast locaon recommendaons to the Bureau, which will idenfy eleven new forecast locaons.  The Brisbane catchment audit is now complete and the Queensland gauge audit is nearing compleon.

North Stradbroke Island The QRA and Quandamooka Yoolooburrabee  QRA is undertaking this project in partnership with QYAC with support Bushfire Management Aboriginal Corporaon (QYAC) are partnering to from the Department of Naonal Parks, Sport and Racing (DNPSR). Plan deliver Township Bushfire Management Plans  All three plans are scheduled for compleon in early 2018. for Point Lookout (Mooloomba), Amity (Pulan Pulan) and Dunwich (Goompi).

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3.3 Program spotlights

QueenslandMapoon Aboriginal Reconstruc Shireon AuthorityCouncil Recovery from STC Debbie connues six months on Betterment funding keeps Mapoon connected and provides value for money Six months on from the destrucon caused by Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie, communies impacted by the Category 4 cyclone are connuing on their road to recovery. The rebuilding and recovery effort across the state had been extensive, with cross‐agency assistance and collaboraon key to the recovery effort. STC Debbie was the worst natural disaster to hit Queensland in a number of years with 36 local governments acvated for assistance under the joint Commonwealth‐State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). A slow moving event that started in the Whitsundays, STC Debbie concluded with major flooding in South East Queensland and Rockhampton, effecvely rolling three events into one. Damage from STC Debbie is esmated at more than $800 million to essenal public infrastructure, $450 million to the agriculture industry, and more than $150 million to the tourism industry. Personal impacts were felt by tens of thousands of Queenslanders who have once again shown amazing resilience and true grit in the face of adversity. Operaon Queensland Recovery, the State Recovery Plan launched in May, has underpinned the State’s recovery efforts to help communies recover and rebuild. The Queensland Government connues to work with local governments and communies to ensure their infrastructure, economies and environment are rebuilt in a way that makes them stronger and more able to quickly recover in the future. While there is sll a lot to do, all involved in the response and recovery effort can be proud of the work that has been done so far to get lives back to normal in the areas that bore the full brunt of STC Debbie. Key highlights since STC Debbie include:  $32.42 million in NDRRA Personal Hardship Assistance Grants paid, including assisng 119,903 people with NDRRA Immediate Hard‐ ship Assistance Grants  $96.2 million in NDRRA Category D exceponal circumstances funding secured  $14.9 million NDRRA Category C Community Recovery Fund estab‐ lished  More than $12.6 million paid under NDRRA Category C grants to 349 small businesses, 1,270 primary producers and 79 non‐profit organisaons. The QRA will conduct six‐month damage and reconstrucon monitoring assessments to capture housing reconstrucon progress in early Octo‐ ber in the most severely impacted areas of Whitsunday, Mackay, Scenic Rim, Logan and Gold Coast. These follow on from the three‐month assessments the QRA conducted in July across these eight council areas. The QRA is connuing to work closely with all impacted councils to fast track NDRRA funding submissions so councils can rebuild as quickly as possible.

QRA and Community Recovery officers conducng post STC Debbie assessments in Rockhampton.

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3.3 Program spotlights (connued)

TMR Pine Creek Road reopens to two lanes of traffic

Pine Creek Road is located in Numinbah Valley and connects the residenal communies of Springbrook to the Gold Coast and Pacific Motorway via Nerang–Murwillumbah Road. A secon of the Pine Creek Road embankment across Waterfall Creek, approximately 200 metres east of the Nerang–Murwillumbah Road intersecon, was completely washed away during flooding associated with Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie in March 2017. This forced the closure of the road to all traffic at the creek crossing which, along with major damage on Gold Coast–Springbrook Road, severed all connecons between Springbrook and the Gold Coast. Transport and Main Roads (TMR) maintenance crews completed an emergency rebuild to restore community access via a temporary traffic lane on Pine Creek Road in just 36 hours. Permanent reconstrucon works commenced in mid ‐April 2017 to repair the embankment damage and reinstate two traffic lanes across Waterfall Creek to ensure access to Springbrook Plateau. These works were completed in early August 2017 and Pine Creek Road was reopened to traffic in both direcons.

Pine Creek Road damage from STC Debbie in March 2017 (top), emergency re- pair works April 2017 (middle) and completed restoraon works August 2017 (above and right)

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3.3 Program spotlights (connued)

MapoonNorth Burne Aboriginal Regional Shire Council Council Compleon of Beerment program Betterment funding keeps Mapoon connected and provides value for money North Burne Regional Council recently completed the last project of its more than $3.5 million Beerment program to make the region more resilient to natural disasters. North Burne Regional Council delivered 19 upgrade projects through the $20 million 2015 Beerment Fund, which was established in response to Tropical Cyclone Marcia under Category D of the jointly‐funded Commonwealth‐State Natural Disaster Relief and Recovery Arrangements (NDRRA). North Burne has a long history of rebuilding from natural disasters. These upgraded projects will help the community withstand the impacts of future disasters and will allow vital transport routes for the region’s primary producers to remain accessible following future disasters. A Creek Road, Eidsvold The benefits of these Beerment projects were realised during Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie, with the North Burne Regional Council area affected by rainfall and flooding. At the me, Council had completed 17 of its 19 projects and all were in the impact zone of this latest natural disaster to hit the region. All 17 projects withstood the impacts of the rainfall and flooding and were fully funconal aer the event. Upgrade works to the final two projects on Sunday Creek Floodway and Deep Creek Bridge on Gayndah‐Mundubbera Road were underway at the me of the event and no damage was sustained to the beerment components of those projects either. North Burne Regional Council Mayor Rachel Chambers Hawkwood Road, Hawkwood said Council was pleased to have completed its recovery from Tropical Cyclone Marcia. “North Burne once again had a major reconstrucon program ahead of us following Tropical Cyclone Marcia and thanks to the Australian and Queensland Governments it gave us the chance to build some of our vulnerable infrastructure to a more resilient standard,” Cr Chambers said.

Redvale Road, Binjour

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3.3 Program spotlights (connued)

MapoonNorth Burne Aboriginal Regional Shire Council Council Compleon of Beerment program Betterment funding keeps Mapoon connected and provides value for money “The whole community benefits from this investment as it greatly reduces the impact of natural disasters. “The final project completed on the Deep Creek Bridge on Gayndah Mundubbera Road will be a good example of that. “Gayndah‐Mundubbera Road is very important as it provides access for the local farmers in the beef cale, citrus, mango and grape industries in the region to freight produce. “Council received funding through the joint Commonwealth‐State 2013 Beerment Fund to upgrade and relocate a two‐kilometre secon of Gayndah‐ Mundubbera Road 11 metres uphill aer it received Above: Legges Road, Nebo catastrophic damage following Tropical Cyclone Oswald.

“That was a massive project and the benefits have already been realised aer the upgraded secon of the road was re‐opened within three hours of the flood waters receding following Tropical Cyclone Marcia. “Unfortunately, the Deep Creek Bridge secon of Gayndah‐Mundubbera Road was closed for three days unl Council could carry out emergency repairs aer suffering damage from Cyclone Marcia. “To be able to upgrade another secon of the road at Deep Creek Bridge is a boost for the community that relies on this corridor so much and I would like to thank the Commonwealth and State Governments for providing funding to complete these works and all of our other beerment projects,” she said. Above: Coonambula Road, Coonambula North Burne Regional Council’s other Beerment projects are for Humphery Binjour, Black Horse Creek, Bon Accord Wetheron, Coonambula, Hawkwood, Mt Debatable Road, Dooloo Tops, Glenleigh, Redvale, Lovedays, Mahoon Creek, Clonmel, Legges, Kariboe, Barram, Swindon and Sunday Creek roads. The Beerment projects completed through this program were funded through NDRRA Category D extraordinary assistance, NDRRA Category B restoraon funding as well as council contribuons.

Above: Humphrey Binjour Road, Binjour

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Secon four: Communicaons

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4.0 Communicaons QRA is focused on building stakeholder confidence in the reconstrucon by ensuring consistent and regular communicaon of public informaon. Media type breakdown ‐ volume 4.1 Communicang progress Media analysis There were a total of 509 media items in September 2017 (239 print, 40 TV, 175 radio, 55 online) as shown in the graph opposite, which reached a cumulave audience of 12.2 million people. This represents an increase of six per cent compared to August 2017 (478 Media items). Peak media coverage was on 13, 14 and 15 September 2017, and was due to Brisbane River Catchment Flood Studies and Bushfire season preparedness arcles. Peak media coverage Other leading media interest included NDRRA arcles on Severe Tropical Cyclone Debbie recovery.

Engagement acvies—September 2017  6 September: QRA CEO, Mr Brendan Moon presented at the Fire and Emergency Management Conference (AFAC17 Conference) in Sydney  7 September: The QRA CEO aended a planning meeng with Whitsunday Regional Council and TMR regarding the Shute Harbour Marina Category D pro‐ ject Communicaons  13 September: The QRA CEO was the Keynote Speaker QRA keeps its stakeholders and the community informed and ensure at the 40th anniversary of the cyclone tesng staon at access to the latest informaon regarding the reconstrucon effort James Cook University, Townsville through its website, phone hotline and management of correspondence. QRA’s website is regularly updated with informaon  13 September: QRA presented at an Engineers Austral‐ about progress on current recovery efforts. ia event about the Brisbane River Catchment Flood Studies During September 2017, unique visits to qldra.org.au totalled 6,762  20 September: the QRA CEO parcipated in the AN‐ This is consistent with the average amount of visits that the QRA ZEMC Migaon and risk sub‐commiee meeng/ website receives when Queensland is not responding to a natural workshop in Canberra. disaster.

 20 September: QRA presented about Building Queens- In September, QRA received an addional 57 calls to our dedicated th land’s Flood Resilience at the 20 Internaonal River‐ hotline and managed 390 pieces of wrien correspondence (an symposium and Environmental Flows Conference in increase of 12% from August). Brisbane. Social Media Website & Communicaons Traffic QRA commenced promong its LinkedIn profile on 23 August 2017. Since then, the LinkedIn page has grown to 184 followers with 26 new followers in September. Two posts were created in September, with the most popular post in September receiving 2,747 impressions and 22 likes. There has also been internaonal ‘following’ interest to our LinkedIn page. The top five countries Australia (152), UK (3), Netherlands (2), Azerbaijan (1) and Switzerland (1). As at 30 September, QRA also assumed responsibility for the Get Ready Queensland Twier and Facebook accounts. Through digital media, QRA aims to engage with partners and stakeholders, building awareness of the Get Ready Queensland campaign. From October 1, monthly engagement reports and post analycs will be collected and a brief is currently being progressed to enable QRA to boost posts through social media

to gain a wider reach. Source: QRA at 30 September 2017 Monthly Report ‐ October 2017 18 www.qldreconstrucon.org.au

4.0 Communicaons (cont.)

4.2 Media reports

Queensland Times —12 September

Daily Mercury —13 September

Daily Mercury —23 September

Daily Mercury —13 September

Gladstone Observer—19 September Fassifern Guardian—13 September

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Appendices

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Appendix A: Local Government Areas by Region

Region Local Government Areas (LGAs)

Far North ASC Aurukun Shire Council Queensland CRC Cairns Regional Council (FNQ) CCRC Cassowary Coast Regional Council CoSC Cook Shire Council CrSC Croydon Shire Council DSC Douglas Shire Council ESC Etheridge Shire Council HVASC Hope Vale Aboriginal Shire Council KASC Kowanyama Aboriginal Shire Council LRASC Lockhart River Aboriginal Shire Council MASC Mapoon Aboriginal Shire Council MbaSC Mareeba Shire Council NASC Napranum Aboriginal Shire Council NPARC Northern Peninsula Area Regional Council PASC Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire Council TRC Tablelands Regional Council TSC Torres Shire Council TSIRC Torres Strait Island Regional Council WWASC Wujal Wujal Aboriginal Shire Council YASC Yarrabah Aboriginal Shire Council

North BrdSC Burdekin Shire Council Queensland BrkSC Burke Shire Council (NQ) CSC Carpentaria Shire Council CTRC Charters Towers Regional Council ClSC Cloncurry Shire Council DASC Doomadgee Aboriginal Shire Council FSC Flinders Shire Council HSC Hinchinbrook Shire Council McSC McKinlay Shire Council MoSC Mornington Shire Council MICC Mount Isa City Council PIASC Palm Island Aboriginal Shire Council RSC Richmond Shire Council TCC Townsville City Council

Central BanSC Banana Shire Council Queensland BarRC Barcaldine Regional Council (CQ) BarSC Barcoo Shire Council BTRC Blackall‐Tambo Regional Council BoSC Boulia Shire Council CHRC Central Highlands Regional Council DSC Diamanna Shire Council GSC Gladstone Regional Council IRC Isaac Regional Council LSC Livingstone Shire Council LRC Longreach Regional Council MacRC Mackay Regional Council RRC Rockhampton Regional Council WRC Whitsunday Regional Council WSC Winton Shire Council WASC Woorabinda Aboriginal Shire Council

Southern BalSC Balonne Shire Council Queensland BSC Bulloo Shire Council (SQ) BRC Bundaberg Regional Council CASC Cherbourg Aboriginal Shire Council FCRC Fraser Coast Regional Council GoRC Goondiwindi Regional Council GRC Gympie Regional Council MarRC Maranoa Regional Council MuSC Murweh Shire Council NBRC North Burne Regional Council PSC Paroo Shire Council QSC Quilpie Shire Council SBRC South Burne Regional Council SDRC Southern Downs Regional Council ToRC Toowoomba Regional Council WDRC Western Downs Regional Council

South East BCC Brisbane City Council Queensland GCCC Gold Coast City Council (SEQ) ICC Ipswich City Council LVRC Lockyer Valley Regional Council LCC Logan City Council MBRC Moreton Bay Regional Council NSC Noosa Shire Council RCC Redland City Council SRRC Scenic Rim Regional Council SRC Somerset Regional Council SCRC Sunshine Coast Regional Council

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Appendix B: NDRRA acvaons managed by QRA ‐ 2007 to 2014 Events

2014 events Delivery and acquial of works complete other than three LGA programs* that received 2014 extensions of me for delivery)  Tropical Cyclone Ita & Associated Rainfall & Flooding, 11‐14 April 2014  Tropical Cyclone Gillian ‐ 10 to 11 March 2014  Central Coast & Southern Queensland Trough, 26‐30 Mar 2014  Central & Western Queensland Flooding & Rainfall, 18‐28 February 2014*  North East Queensland Monsoonal Rainfall & Flooding ‐ 7 to 9 February 2014*  Tropical Cyclone Fletcher, commencing 2 February 2014*  Far North Queensland Peninsula Flooding (27‐31 Jan 2014)  Tropical Cyclone Dylan, 31 January 2014  North Stradbroke Island Fires, commencing 29 Dec 2013 2013 events 2013 (Delivery and acquial of works complete other than three projects that received extensions of me for delivery)  South West Queensland Wildfires, 21 December 2012  Far Northern Queensland Bushfires, late Oct ‐ Dec 2012  Tropical Cyclone Oswald & Associated Rainfall & Flooding, 21‐29 January 2013#  Longreach Flood, 18 February 2013  Central & Southern Queensland Low, 25 Feb ‐ 5 Mar 2013. 2012 events 2012 (Delivery and acquial of works complete)  Queensland Bushfires, August to October 2011  Localised Heavy Rainfall Northern Queensland, October 2011  Southern Queensland Flooding, December to December 2011  South East Queensland Heavy Rainfall and flooding, 23‐ 26 January 2012  Western Queensland Tropical Low, January ‐ February 2012  Far Northern Queensland Tropical Low, 3‐4 February 2012  North Coast Queensland Storms & flooding & East Coast Hybrid Low, 24 Feb ‐ 7 March 2012  Northern & Far Northern Queensland Heavy Rainfall & flooding, 15 Mar 2012  East Coast Low, 22 March 2012. 2011 events 2011 (Delivery and acquial of works complete)  South West Flooding, April 2011  Queensland Monsoonal Flooding Event, 28 February 2011  Severe Tropical Cyclone Yasi on 2 February 2011  Queensland Flooding & Tropical Cyclones Tasha & Anthony, Dec‐2010 to February 2011. 2007‐2010 events managed by QRA (Delivery and acquial of works complete)  Queensland Monsoonal Flooding & Tropical Cyclones Olga, Neville, Ului and Paul, Jan to Apr 2010  Northern, Central & South West Queensland Flooding, 22 December 2009 to 8 January 2010  South West Flooding, 20 – 25 December 2009  2010 South East Queensland Flooding, 9‐12 October 2010.  Queensland Bushfires, September – October 2009  South West Queensland Low and Associated Flooding, September 2010  South East Queensland Low, May 2009  Queensland Monsoonal flooding and Tropical Cyclone Charloe and Ellie, January ‐ February 2009  Queensland storms and associated flooding, 16‐22 December 2008  South West Queensland flooding, June 2008  Queensland Monsoonal flooding, February March 2008  Queensland Monsoonal flooding, January 2008  South East Queensland East Coast Low, 27 December 2007 ‐ 7 January 2008  Central Western Queensland storms and flooding, 22‐30 December 2007  South West Queensland storms and flooding, 23‐30 November 2007  South East and North Coast Queensland East Coast Low, August 2007.

Monthly Report ‐ October 2017 22 www.qldreconstrucon.org.au # Three 2013 Event Beerment projects received extensions of me for delivery, with final acquial due by 31 March 2017. All other 2013 events have completed delivery and acquial phases.

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